Page 24 of Don't Hate Me
The dots were appearing and disappearing, which meant he had no good answer for that. It was probably wrong I’d asked the question. I was the one making this relationship nearly impossible to sustain. Because I couldn’t go to him. Because he couldn’t just show up at the estate, despite it being his home for six years.
It was Arthur who was pushing him toward graduation, and now making him work every hour he wasn’t studying.
Me:I’m sorry. I shouldn’t put the pressure on you to figure that out. I’ll think of something. Just don’t forget me, okay?
Marc:It’s not the easiest situation for us, Ash. You know that. But I’m not going to forget you.
Me:If only your uncle worked on a normal estate for a normal family. Your life probably would have been so much easier.
Marc:I’ll take the drama if it comes with you.
I sighed and beamed.
Me:You know, that was a really nice thing you said to me. Maybe the nicest.
Marc:I was told I had to say nice things. Don’t get used to it. I don’t do sappy. Goodnight.
Me:Goodnight.
* * *
The Ritz-Carlton
Ashleigh
We were in the car, waiting in a line of other cars, to be dropped off at the front door of the event. I watched as women dressed to the nines, and men in their tuxes, poured out of every vehicle. I had this funny image of a circus act with clowns, but instead of a hundred clowns popping out of a single car, it was a billionaire and his dates, dripping in diamonds, popping out of a hundred cars.
That’s what so many of thesecharityevents were about. Letting everyone else see how much money you could wear in a single evening. The purpose of the night, the true work, could be accomplished by removing one of those diamond bracelets or necklaces and giving it to the charity.
Still, it made me think.
“Daddy, I think I need more diamonds. All I have are my earrings, and if I’m going to attend these events with you, that’s not enough.”
They were the first words I’d spoken to him on the entire drive. Not that he’d minded. He’d brought his laptop and had been working.
He lifted his head and seemed to consider the question. “You’re too young for some of those bulkier necklaces. However, a nice tennis bracelet would be acceptable. Since we’re staying the night at the penthouse, we can stop by Tiffany’s tomorrow if you would like.”
I smiled. “That would be amazing!”
Something to actually look forward to. As we inched closer to the entrance, Arthur pulled out his phone and sent a text.
“There will be media coverage,” he told me. “You need to smile.”
“Of course.”
“Evan will be meeting us. The press has a sense he’s ready to make his announcement about running soon.”
It felt like my heart tripped. I hadn’t seen or heard about Evan since his visit in Switzerland. With things how they were with Marc, it was easy to forget he existed.
But he did.
I pulled on my bottom lip and wondered if now was the time to finally ask Arthur what his intentions were, related to me and Evan. Honestly, I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want to hear my worst fears confirmed.
“I don’t like him,” I said instead.
He turned to me, his face stern. “What a ridiculous thing to say. He’s been nothing but pleasant to you.”
“He gives me a creepy vibe,” I admitted.
